Anemia Panel- 18 Tests

This 18 test anemia panel includes all tests needed to diagnose the degree and cause of anemia including a CBC panel (red blood cells, hemoglobin, etc), Ferritin, Iron, Total Iron Binding Capacity, Folate, and Vitamin B-12.

This lab test panel is ideal for people who feel fatigued and who may suspect anemia.  Women whose menstrual cycle is characterized by a lot of blood loss, people with potential vitamin deficiencies, and those who suspect internal bleeding will benefit from exploring the biomakers in this panel. Also, men and women who donate blood frequently  may find this panel useful to ensure that they have no depleted their iron, ferritin and other markers of iron stores that  can dramatically impact their energy level, mental function, mood and quality of life.

Anemia is a decrease in the total amount of red blood cells (RBCs) or hemoglobin in the blood, or a lowered ability of the blood to carry oxygen. It can have several causes.

Symptoms of Anemia

When anemia comes on slowly, the symptoms are often vague and may include feeling tired, weakness, shortness of breath, and a poor ability to exercise. When the anemia comes on quickly, symptoms may include confusion, feeling like one is going to pass out, loss of consciousness, and increased thirst. Anemia must be significant before a person becomes noticeably pale.

Causes of Anemia:

Anemia can be caused by blood loss, decreased red blood cell production, and increased red blood cell breakdown. Causes of blood loss include trauma and gastrointestinal bleeding.

Causes of decreased production include iron deficiency, vitamin B12 deficiency, thalassemia, and a number of neoplasms of the bone marrow. Causes of increased breakdown include genetic conditions such as sickle cell anemia, infections such as malaria, and certain autoimmune diseases.

Types of Anemia:

Anemia can also be classified based on the size of the red blood cells and amount of hemoglobin in each cell. If the cells are small, it is called microcytic anemia; if they are large, it is called macrocytic anemia; and if they are normal sized, it is called normocytic anemia.

Diagnosis of Anemia:

The diagnosis of anemia in men is based on a hemoglobin of less than 130 to 140 g/L (13 to 14 g/dL); in women, it is less than 120 to 130 g/L (12 to 13 g/dL).

Anemia Tests Included:

CBC (Complete Blood Count) Panel:

Complete Blood Count

 Whole blood is made up of various types of cells suspended in a liquid called plasma. The complete blood count (CBC) is an inventory of the different cellular components of the blood: red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. Blood cell counts are typically reported as the number of cells in a cubic millimeter of blood (cells/mm3) or as a percentage of all blood cells.

 Red Blood Cells

 Red blood cells (erythrocytes) carry oxygen from the lungs to the body's cells, bound to a molecule called hemoglobin. Anemia is a condition characterized by a reduction in the number of red blood cells, often leaving a person fatigued, weak, and short of breath. Several tests are used to help diagnose various types of anemia.

 Red Blood Cell Count (RBC): the total number of red blood cells in a quantity of blood. Normal ranges are 4.5-6.0 million cells/mm3 for men and 4.0-5.5 million cells/mm3 for women. (Women typically have lower counts than men due to the loss of blood through menstruation.)

 Hematocrit (HCT): the proportion of red blood cells as a percentage of total blood volume. A normal hematocrit is 40-55% for men and 35-45% for women.

 Hemoglobin (HGB): the number of grams of hemoglobin in a deciliter of blood (g/dL). Normal levels in healthy adults are 14-18 g/dL for men and 12-16 g/dL for women. As a rough guideline, hemoglobin should be about one-third the hematocrit.

 Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin (MCH) and MCH Concentration (MCHC): the amount or concentration, respectively, of hemoglobin in an average red blood cell.

 Mean Corpuscular Volume (MCV): the average size, or volume, of individual red blood cells. Conditions such as iron deficiency can lead to smaller than normal red blood cells, while certain vitamin deficiencies and some drugs can produce larger than normal cells.

 Red Blood Cell Distribution Width (RDW): a measure of the size and uniformity of red blood cells.

 White Blood Cells

White blood cells (leukocytes) carry out the body's immune responses. The CBC looks at numbers of various different types of white blood cells.

 White Blood Cell Count (WBC): the total number of white blood cells in a quantity of blood. A healthy adult normally has 4,000-11,000 white blood cells/mm3. A WBC increase often indicates that a person is actively fighting an infection or has recently received a vaccine. Decreased WBC (leukopenia) can leave a person vulnerable to various pathogens and cancers.

 Differential: a report of the proportions of different types of white blood cells as a percentage of the total number of white cells; these percentages may be multiplied by the WBC to obtain absolute counts.

 Neutrophils: a type of cell that fights bacterial infections. Neutrophils normally make up about 50-70% of all white blood cells. The risk of bacterial infection increases when the absolute neutrophil count falls below about 500-750 cells/mm3.

 Lymphocytes: there are two main types of lymphocytes. B cells produce antibodies that fight foreign invaders in the body, while T cells target infected or cancerous cells and help coordinate the overall immune response. A normal lymphocyte count is about 20-40% of all white blood cells.

 Monocytes: a type of cell that fights pathogens by engulfing and destroying them. Monocytes circulate in the blood for about 24 hours; when they leave the bloodstream and migrate into the tissues, they mature into macrophages. Monocytes and macrophages normally account for 2-10% of all white blood cells.

 Eosinophils: cells that play a role in defense against parasites and in allergic reactions. They normally make up 0-6% of all white blood cells.

 Basophils: another type of cell involved in allergic reactions, in particular the release of histamine. They normally account for 1% or less of all white blood cells.

Platelets

 Platelets (thrombocytes) are necessary for blood clotting. A normal platelet count is about 130,000-440,000 cells/mm3. Low platelet counts (thrombocytopenia) -- which can lead to easy bruising and excessive bleeding -- may be caused by certain drugs, autoimmune reactions, accelerated destruction by the spleen, or certain immune diseases.

Folic Acid:

B12 and folic acid blood testing help doctors diagnose central nervous system disorders, anemia, and malabsorption syndromes. B12 and folic acid also play an important role in energy level, muscle strength and memory. Because B12 and folate are derived solely from dietary intake, such as egg yolks, beef, poultry and fish, many people are deficient in these important vitamins.

Vitamin B-12 Level:

Vitamin B-12 is an essential vitamin. Low blood levels of B12 can cause: Anemia and pernicious anemia, loss of balance , numbness or tingling in the arms and legs, and weakness

Iron & TIBC:

The serum iron test measures the amount of iron in your blood. The total iron-binding capacity (TIBC) test looks at how well the iron moves through your body. Iron is an important mineral that your body needs to stay healthy. Your body uses iron to make hemoglobin, the protein in your red blood cells that carries oxygen throughout your body. If you don't have enough iron, you may not have enough hemoglobin. This condition is called iron deficiency anemia. Iron in your body is carried, or bound, mainly to a protein made by your liver called transferrin. The TIBC test is based on certain proteins, including transferrin, found in the blood. Your transferrin levels are almost always measured along with iron and TIBC. 

Ferritin:

Ferritin is a protein found in the bloodstream which stores iron. Ferritin helps in transporting iron where it's most needed in the body. Too much or too little ferritin can cause a lot of health issues and that's why you should check it often.  The levels of ferritin in the body are different for men and women. For example: - Men - 24 - 500 ng/ml of blood - Women - 22 -200 ng/ml of blood. However, many people may have anemia symptoms at the lower end of the "normal" range.

IMPORTANT: Discounted Labs only serves these states: Find a Location 

DiscountedLabs.com offers affordable blood tests you can order online in the United Sates without the need of a doctor's order. We have no hidden fees and have an easy ordering process.

HOW DOES DISCOUNTEDLABS.COM WORK?

1. Go to the "Find a Location" page to find the closest lab location. No need to make an appointment since walk-ins are welcomed. Once you have identified your closest location, go to step 2.

   NOTE: We serve all states in the U.S. except New York, New Jersey, and Rhode Island. Residents of those states need a written lab order from an in-state provider. Individuals cannot obtain a blood draw in neighboring states.

2. Go to "Choose a Test" and add your selection (s) in the shopping cart. If you prefer to save money on bundled tests, we have created "Lab Test Panels" that can help you decide what to order.

3. If you have a discount coupon code, add it to your cart.

4. A $8 lab processing fee will be added to your total.

5. Pay using a credit card.

6. You will receive an order confirmation and instructions email on how to download your lab request.

7. Print lab request form that you downloaded.

8. Take that form to the closest location with a picture ID. Get your blood drawn.

9. You will receive an email when the results are ready for you to download.

   Note: You cannot place an order under someone else's profile. The profile person's name will appear on the lab order form.

   If you have questions, please review our FAQ Page.

   If you have further questions, please email [email protected].